DUBAI, 29th March, 2022 (WAM) -- Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, showcased the Kurdistan Government's plans to become a leading global energy provider at the World Government Summit 2022 (WGS2022) in Dubai.

During a panel session entitled 'Energy Development, Exports, and the Future of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq' at the Global Energy Forum, Masrour Barzani said that Kurdistan is "open for business", and that the region's energy ambitions are gathering momentum.

"We have gone from almost a standing start when we passed our own investment law 15 years ago, to a region that produces and exports around half a million barrels of oil per day. But this hasn't been an easy journey. We have a tremendous opportunity to provide for both our domestic and global markets. We are open for business and very much looking forward to welcoming new partners to Kurdistan. I'm confident that Kurdistan will soon become an important source of energy for the world's growing demand."

Jon Harris, CEO of Gulf Keystone Petroleum, said that the region offers "great potential", and its long-standing relationship with Kurdistan would continue, while Bill Higgs, CEO, Genel Energy, spoke of a "strong relationship" with Kurdistan which stretches back two decades.

Meanwhile, Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, highlighted that their partnership with Kurdistan stretches back 15 years to 2007. While the country has met with challenges, Jafar said, "There are challenges in every environment. We take a long-term perspective. Our contracts are long term."

Dr. Adel Chaouch, President, CEO, and Director, ShaMaran Petroleum Corp, also spoke of expansion in Kurdistan, while Ross Perot Jr., Chairman, The Perot Group, described the oil and energy potentials in Kurdistan as a "very unique spot in the world" for its large reserves.